BY-LAWS of the MID-SOUTH FLY FISHERS

ARTICLE I.    Purposes
The purpose of this Organization is to improve and increase the sport of fly fishing in the Mid-South; to encourage and advocate conservation in the waters of the Mid-South; to encourage and assist others to become fly fishers; to promote the pleasure and fellowship of its members; and to engage in such activities as may be necessary and expedient for the achievement of the above stated purposes.

ARTICLE II.    Membership
Membership shall be open to all persons interested in the sport of fly fishing.

ARTICLE III.    Directors
Except as otherwise required by law, or provided by these By-Laws, the conduct of the affairs of this organization shall be vested in its board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall consist of the President and six (6) members elected by the membership, who shall serve for three (3) years, except those elected for the year 1986-87 shall draw lots, and two (2) shall serve for a one (1) year period, two (2) shall serve for two year period; two (2) shall serve for a three (3) year period; thereafter, two (2) Directors shall be elected for a term of three (3) years.

Vacancies caused by any reason shall be filled by action of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV.    Officers
The officers shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer shall be appointed by the Board and may be held by one (1) person. The Vice-President shall be elected by the membership at the annual meeting and shall automatically succeed to the office of President at the expiration of the term. The Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer (if not a member of the Board) and Immediate Past President shall be ex-officio members of the Board without the right to vote.

The officers shall perform the duties which are usually performed by such officers, or such duties as may be assigned to them from time to time by the Board of Directors. Vacancies occurring for any reason in any office shall be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term of such office, with the exception of Vice-President who shall be elected by the members.

ARTICLE V.    Nominations and Elections
The Board of Directors shall appoint a Committee on Nominations to nominate candidates for the offices of Vice-President and Directors. The nominations shall be submitted to the membership at the annual meeting, and other nominations may also be made by the members of the organization present at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VI.    Meetings
Regular monthly meetings shall be held on such dates, times and places as determined by the Board of Directors, subject to the approval of the membership.

The annual meeting shall be held at the monthly meeting in September of each year.

Special meetings may be held at anytime or place by a call of the Board of Directors, with a minimum of one (1) weeks notice.

Directors meetings shall be held at a time, date and place upon call of the President or by a majority of the Directors.

A quorum shall consist of those members present at any monthly, annual or special meeting of the organization.

ARTICLE VII.    Dues and Finances
The amount of the annual dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors, subject to the approval of the members. Expenditures shall be authorized or approved by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII.    Committees
The Board of Directors may establish committees for any purposes, consisting of any number of members, and designate the chairman who shall be responsible for the activities of the committee.

ARTICLE IX.    Amendments
Alterations or amendments to the By-Laws may be made by the Board of Directors, subject to the approval of a majority of the members present at a meeting called for the purpose of considering same. Notice of such meeting shall be given at least thirty (30) days prior to its consideration.

[Retyped on September 1, 2003 by Leon Alexander, MSFF Secretary]

ARTICLE III    Directors
Amendment #1
The By-Laws of the Mid-South Fly Fishers are hereby amended to provide the editor of the club newsletter, Tight Lines and Tall Tales, shall be a member of the Board of Directors with voting privileges. The editor will be appointed by a majority of the Board of Directors and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

Amendment #2
In the event of a vacancy on the Board of Directors, such vacancy shall be filled by a member of the club selected and approved by the Board of Directors until such time as the vacancy can be filled by vote of the General Membership at the Annual Meeting.

Amendment #3
Directors or officers may be removed for cause upon vote of the Board of Directors.

Amendment #4
The position of Director of Special Events shall be an appointed position with voting privileges. The position will be appointed at the January Board of Directors meeting and serve for a term of one year. The Board of Directors will also appoint a non-voting Assistant Director of Special Events. The Assistant Director of Special Events shall be appointed the Director of Special Events the following year at the discretion of the Board.

ARTICLE XI.    Dissolution
In the event MSFF shall cease functioning as a club, whether by operation of law or otherwise, all funds remaining in the Club treasury shall be turned over and donated to the Federation of Fly Fishers.

ARTICLE IV.    Officers
The Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Past President shall be voting members of the Board of Directors.

[Retyped on September 1, 2003 by Leon Alexander, MSFF Secretary]

Officers:

President

• Conduct monthly club and board meeting.
• Facilitates overall board activities. Appoints chairpersons of ad hoc groups and suggests members.
• Writes President’s Message for monthly newsletter.
• Writes a Board Report for the newsletter outlining key actions by the Board.
• Represents (or appoints representative) MSFF club at Southern Council, FFF functions and others.
• Insures nominations, participation (fly tyers, speakers, etc.) in Southern Council activities.
• Appoints chair/co-chairs to promote club membership in FFF.

• Program committee for monthly programs (speakers, tyers, activities, meals, AV equipment, etc.).
• Investigates best locations for meetings, recommends to Board and makes arrangements after Board approval.Board liaison to Chairperson for National Speaker Event.
• Performs duties of the President when needed.
• Insures that Editor has timely information on speakers, fly tyers, etc.
• Collects all items and organizes all raffles, silent and live auctions at club meetings.

• Chairs Nomination Committee that handles all activities supporting the election.
• Orients new board members.
• Serves as resource to board and club.
• Works with Membership Director on Retention Committee

• Records minutes at Board meetings and e-mails to BOD after meeting.
• Maintains correspondence between club and other groups (i.e., FFF, Southern Council, etc.) as required.
• Has the “official” address for the club. Maintains the club’s voice mail system. Supervises the annual election, including generating ballots, handing out ballots to qualified voters and counting votes.
• Sends thank you notes to all speakers and fly tyers.

• Develops budget and related reports including checking account balance, special project profit/loss, actual vs., budgeted reports, etc. Works with President to develop budget.
• Manages the club checking account and savings account.
• Shall have authorization to sign check to pay invoices. Monthly report to Board. Files any tax info needed.
• Generates financial reports as needed.
• Serves as key resource to Membership Director.

The following duties are assigned to each director but it is recognized that no one person can do all the work assigned. Directors are expected to appoint ad hoc committees or make assignments to club members to assist them as needed.

Education Director

• Develops education programs for the club and the public.
• Collect fees with documentation at the door for any schools and turn over to Treasurer.
• Pays for lunches at schools except for club outings.Treasurer to write check.
• Selects qualified faculty as needed.
• Provides articles to Editor two months prior to school.
• Serves as resource to club members having questions about programs. Telephone number in newsletter.
• Responsible for all necessary materials required for classes including books, guest badges, and demo rods.
• Assist the Activities Director to find volunteers and fly tiers to work at the club events.

• Liaison between MSFF and WET program, AGFC, TWRA and conservation chairs of the Southern Council and FFF.
• Submits newsletter information for a conservation update quarterly to update club members on club efforts and efforts of other groups affecting our fisheries.
• Organizes any board approved conservation efforts.

Membership Director

• Handles all membership issues including new members and renewals and submits monies collected to Treasurer.
• Provides monthly updated mailing labels and list of new members to Editor.
• Provides current membership roster to all Board members at least annually.
• Provides roster of mailed registrations to schools to the Education Director.
• Provides badges to all new members. Provides guest badges for all guests at meetings.
• Provides list of new members and lost members at every BOD meeting.
• Provides list of deleted members to BOD prior to purging from records.
• Assists Secretary to verify current membership on Election night.
• Organizes ways to make new members feel at home and to involve them in club activities.

• Organizes all Club Outings.
• Organizes Club Public Events (i.e. Boat Show, Hunting & Fishing Extravaganza and Duck Unlimited) to find volunteers and fly tiers to work the events.
• Organizes all support needed for schools and outings when meals, restrooms, reservations for boats, camping, etc. is needed.
• Submits newsletter articles two months in advance of outing.
• Organizes cooking and cleanup crews as needed.
• Collects fees when needed and turns over to Treasurer with written documentation.
• Serves as liaison to Chairperson of December Holiday Party.

• Organizes all fundraising Events.
• Organizes all activities related to the all Fundraiser Events and December Holiday Party including facilities, dinner and all raffles and auctions.
• Organizes all activities related to collecting items to be raffles and auctioned at December holiday Party.
• Oversees all activities of committees relating to all Fundraiser Events and December Holiday Party.
• Maintain lists of donors and purchases of silent and live auctions.
• Collect monies for auctions, document and turn over to Treasurer with appropriate documentation.
• Report profit from December Holiday Party to BOD no later than the following February BOD meeting.
• Writes articles as needed for the newsletter to inform the membership of raffle and auction activities.
• Generate “Thank You” notes to everyone that donated items.

• Supports Editor and other directors in communication matters, especially helping to identify newsletter information.
• Works closely with Special Events Director to publicize and promote December Holiday Party.
• Generates press releases as requested/needed by the Board.
• Handles public relations efforts identified by the board.
• Conducts surveys of the membership as needed and reports results to Board.
• Develops and updates MSFF information brochures.
• Develops any and all promotional aids as identified by the BOD including video and audio segments.

• Responsible for ordering, maintaining stock and selling all MSFF promotional items including hats, pins, shirts, patches and etc.
• Responsible for monitoring and reporting sales on all items including Home Waters Books.
• Maintains and reorders as necessary all MSFF club brochures.
• Maintains all club equipment including tents, banners, displays and rods and is responsible that these items are available as needed for all club events.
• All monies collected to be transferred to Treasurer and verify all invoices relating to promotional items.
• Assist Vice President in obtaining raffle items for the monthly dinners and provides a list of items to be raffled to the Editor prior to the monthly newsletter being printed.

• Publishes monthly newsletter and insures mailing so that members receive it one week prior to club meeting.
• Request check for postage from Treasurer.
• Solicits advertising to offset costs of newsletter and mailing.
• Identifies deadlines for submission of articles and communicates to Board and membership.
• Communicates with Editors of the FFF “Quill”, the Southern Council’s “Long Casts” and others as needed to identify opportunities for articles.